Twitch updates security for its TwitchCon event following the Jacksonville esports shooting

Twitch is today announcing changes to its security procedures for its
TwitchCon event taking place in San Jose, California on Saturday,
October 27th. The update follows news of the tragic shooting at an
esports event in Jacksonville, Florida last month where three people
died, including the shooter, and 11 were injured. Twitch said it would
review its procedures as a result, and would soon have more information
about what it’s doing to keep attendees safe.
Today, the company shared those plans.

According to Twitch, it’s working with San Jose’s local law enforcement,
convention staff, and additional security services on the event.

The conference will include bag searches and screenings at designated
entrance points, and attendees will be limited to carrying just one bag.

The bag can be no larger than 12” x 15” x 6”, the company says.

Backpacks, luggage, large bags and bulky clothing will not be allowed.
In addition, backpacks acquired at the show – even those that are
Twitch-branded – will not be eligible for re-entry. There will be an
on-site bag check available, but the company suggests that larger bags
are just left at home as space will be limited.

It says small fanny packs or clear bags will help attendees move through the security checkpoints faster.

Meanwhile, exhibitors will only be able to hand carry their products and
display materials in oversized bags and rollers before 8 AM on show
days – that way there won’t be a way for people to bring in large bags
when the event is underway.

Press will also have to wear their press badges, and crew that needs to
carry their large camera equipments will needed to be approved.

Of course, the event has a no weapons policy as well, and anyone in violation will be removed without refund.

Badges must be worn at all times, and an ID or passport needs to be on hand, as well.

At first glance, the updated procedures don’t seem remarkably different from Twitch’s earlier policies.

The company’s security plan before Jacksonville had also included bag
searches, walkthrough or hand-held scanners, the use of uniformed
guards, ID checks, and the wearing of badges.

The biggest on-record change appears to be the backpack ban.

However, we understand the reference to Twitch’s closer work with law
enforcement services and the “additional security services” is a
reference to other changes that may not have been fully detailed. (We’d
guess this is likely because Twitch doesn’t want to provide too much
information to anyone trying to workaround its security procedures.)

The annual TwitchCon event brings together the Twitch community to play
games, watch live esports, participate in hackathons and cosplay
contests, attend sessions, and hear from the company about what’s next
for the live game-streaming service.

Last fall, for example, Twitch unveiled a new set of tools at TwitchCon
that would allow creators to make money from their online channels.

However, the events in Jacksonville have had many of TwitchCon’s regular attendees concerned about event safety.

After all, the video game competition, taking place at the GLHF Game Bar
in Jacksonville, Florida, had been live-streamed on Twitch when the
shooting happened. Would a copycat try to get into Twitch’s conference?,
some have wondered.

According to reports, the Florida shooter had been upset about losing
two games of Madden earlier in the tournament, even refusing to shake
hands with the winner after one game. Despite a history of mental
illness, the shooter had been able to legally acquire his weapons. It
wasn’t clear how he got them into the Jacksonville bar.

Sadly, mass shootings in the U.S. have now taken place at schools, movie
theaters, churches, concerts, workplaces – even at YouTube – and
elsewhere. But they had not yet before occurred at an esports event.

The tragic event brought attention on the esports industry as a whole,
which still sits somewhere outside of mainstream attention, despite
Twitch having over 2 million broadcasters and 15 million viewers who
tune in daily to watch.

Shortly after the tragedy, Twitch said it would make changes.

“Security at TwitchCon is our top priority and is something we take very
seriously at all our events,” the company told TechCrunch in August.
“We regularly review and iterate on our policies and approach in order
to provide a safe and positive experience for staff, attendees, and
exhibitors. In the wake of yesterday’s tragedy we will be re-reviewing
our plans and updating them accordingly,” a spokesperson had said at the
time.